2012 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

This is one of the best Syrah's out of Sonoma County. It is built for the long haul so make sure to let it rest in the cellar or give it plenty of air. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, roasted meats and slight root beer note which was interesting. Full bodied. On the palate, lots of black raspberry fruit starting to layer with a charred earthiness and slight bacon notes. This still has medium tannins. Great balance and energy. Long finish. This may yet improve, but is more likely about as good as it will get. No hurry, this should continue to drink well for twelve to fifteen more years. It will go well with roasted meats, fowl or veggies.

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Score:

Vintage:

2012

Current Price:

$60.00USD

America’s Best Rhone Style Red Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we discussed the white Rhone style wines offered at the 2008 Rhone Rangers tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco on March 18. This month we turn to the reds, of which we tasted 50. Among those we tasted were some old favorites and some wineries or bottlings with which we were not yet familiar. We don’t pretend that we tasted a representative group of wines, because our sample was skewed to wines we have loved in the past and others about which we have heard positive comments.

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Top Ten California Syrahs - 2016

I tend to taste and drink a lot of wine over the course of a year. I am in a few tasting groups, sometimes the wines are consumed at various local wine store tastings and a number drunk with friends and family.

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2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. The 16th annual Hospice du Rhone events in Paso Robles, California from May 1 to 3, 2008 was an opportunity to consider Rhone-style wines from a fresh perspective. Unlike most tasting opportunities, these events included Rhone-style wines from the Rhone Valley itself (51 wineries), elsewhere in France (4 wineries) as well as from Spain (4 wineries), Australia (17 wineries), South Africa (6 wineries), Chile (2 wineries), Argentina (1 winery) and the United States. The American wines were mostly from California (144 wineries), but a few examples from Arizona (2 wineries) and Washington State (5 wineries) were also included. While this is a California-dominated event, and while many of the Rhone Valley’s best producers aren’t represented, there is still sufficient European and other entries to make for interesting comparisons and contrasts. The events included two general tastings and a series of focused seminars.

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2012 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$60.00USD

This is my favorite Carlisle Syrah. At age 8, it really was a bit young to be opened, but it was delicious after a couple of hours of air. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, bacon fat, black olives and white pepper. Full bodied. Light tannins. On the palate, black raspberry fruit over a charred earthiness. Great balance. Lively. Deep. Long finish. This probably will continue to mature for another five to seven years, and be good for another ten after that. It drinks great on its own and will work well with fatty meat dishes but also Indian or hea

2015 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$55.00USD

This is 100% Syrah with a 15.3% ABV. That said, the alcohol isn't noticeable. Purple in color with ruby swirls. Mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries with some spice and black pepper. Full bodied. On the palate, black raspberry fruit with underlying char and ash. Light tannins. Good finish. At age 7 this may yet improve a bit but it just about at its prime drinking window. It should drink well for another ten to twelve years. This will go well with roasted meats, fowl or veggies.

2012 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

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America’s Best Rhone Style Red Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

Top Ten California Syrahs - 2016

2008 Hospice du Rhone Events: Highs & Lows of American Rhone-style Wines Tasted

2012 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

2015 Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review